Plastics Derived from Biological Sources: Present and Future: A Technical and Environmental Review
Year: 2011
Type: review
Abstract: In the time period 2010 2015, the worldwide annual production \nof plastics is very likely to surpass 300 million tons,1,2 requiring \nmultiple amounts of petroleum and leading to hundreds \nof millions of tons ofCO2 in addition to health risks for the public \ndue to the release of other types of emissions.1,3 A large amount \nof plastics (at least 40% of the total consumption) is used in \nshort-term applications, and the resulting waste can quickly \nlead to additional environmental damage unless adequate \nwaste management systems are in place. For example, conventional \npetrochemical plastics are harmful for terrestrial and \nsea animals as well as birds that tend to eat plastic residues;4 \nthese impacts could be reduced by plastics that are biodegradable \nby microorganisms. In short, petrochemical plastics are \nnot sustainable and bio-based sustainable plastics should be \ndeveloped to avoid problems caused by the petrochemical \nplastics.
Source: Chemical Reviews
DOI: 10.1021/cr200162d
Authors: Guo-Qiang Chen, Martin K. Patel
Language: English
Subfield: Biomaterials
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2052429898